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Buffalo Sabres Free Agency: Bringing Olofsson back was golden

By Sion Fawkes

Oct 28, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Victor Olofsson (71) moves the puck ahead of Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Victor Olofsson (71) moves the puck ahead of Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres best move on Day 1 occurred when they re-signed Victor Olofsson to a two-year, AAV $4.75 million deal. 

While this is a bridge contract in terms of length, it shows the Buffalo Sabres believe their right winger will improve upon last season’s scoring outburst that began in mid-February. The frenzy started on February 15th in a 6-3 win against the New York Islanders, in which Olofsson scored two goals after suffering a 3.5-month scoring drought.

But the two-goal effort was no outlier, and Olofsson went on to find twine 13 more times. And when he wasn’t scoring goals, he provided plenty of assists, with 13 in the same February 15th to April 29th timeframe.

The Buffalo Sabres struck gold with the Olofsson re-signing

Earlier in the week, the Sabres extended a qualifying offer to Olofsson and it took just another two days for the sides to reach a deal. Olofsson, who saw time playing with the top scoring line toward the end of the year, has spent just over three seasons with the Sabres, making his debut toward the end of the 2018-19 campaign after a stint in Rochester.

With Olofsson’s signing, the Sabres now have four established scorers that also includes the likes of Jeff Skinner, Alex Tuch, and Tage Thompson. Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is also a scoring threat, and rookie Owen Power showed in his cameo last season that he may also be capable of pitching in.

Olofsson’s signing will also take pressure off of Dylan Cozens and Peyton Krebs. Two talented forwards who showed flashes, but score consistently down the stretch. Especially Cozens.

And while Olofsson struggled with inconsistency himself, you have to wonder whether that was due to lingering effects from the wrist injury he suffered in October that kept him out for three weeks. Before suffering the injury, Olofsson scored five goals and logged four assists, indicating he was on-pace for a big season.

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If the injury indeed affected Olofsson’s play upon returning in November, it just shows you how dangerous he can be when healthy. So let’s err on the side of optimism and say Olofsson stays healthy all season, plays in at least 80 games, logs 35 goals, and 40 assists for 75 points.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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